Paperback
English language
Published Jan. 2, 2012 by Back Bay Books / Little, Brown and Company.
The remarkable heroine of The hummingbird's daughter returns in this epic novel of love and loss in a restless America. Teresita's passage will take her across the nation as she comes to terms with her place in a new world. She must finally ask herself the ultimate question: is a saint allowed to fall in love?
Went to a reading and Urrea clearly delighted in his own writing. He convinced me to buy a copy even though I hadn’t read the prior book in this duology. It’s about his great aunt, Teresita, The Saint of Cabora, who either has healing powers or is a dangerous revolutionary, depending on who’s asked. An immigrant story that started in 19th Century Mexico in the first book—I plan on reading it soon.
How does an esteemed author follow up an acclaimed epic novel? Luis Alberto Urrea finds a way, continuing the saga of Teresita Urrea, the Saint of Cabora, as she and her father Tomas cross the border into the U.S. At nearly 500 pages, the pace is nevertheless rapid, covering several cross-country moves over a decade and a half. The last chapter is positively exquisite - I found myself reading it over and over again just to relive the touch of a master at the peak of his craft. While "The Hummingbird's Daughter" should certainly be read first, "Queen of America" is a classic on its own merits and is well worth reading.
